...some of them murmured

[Rich]

...some of them murmured

Whenever we suffer some affliction, we should regard it both as
punishment and as a correction. Our holy Scriptures themselves do not
promise us peace, security and rest. On the contrary, the Gospel makes
no secret of the troubles and temptations that await us, but it also
says that he who perseveres to the end will be saved. So we must not
grumble, my brothers, and for as the Apostle Paul says: "...some of
them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. " (1 Col. 10:10) Is
there any affliction now endured by mankind that was not endured by
our fathers before us? What sufferings of ours even bear comparison
with what we know of their sufferings? How then can you think that
past ages were better than your own?

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January 17th - Blessed Gonzalo de Amarante
(also known as Gonzalvus de Amarante and Gundisalvus de Amarante)

1187-1259
Today we celebrate the feast of Blessed Gonzalo de Amarante ,
miracle-worker, Dominican friar, and hermit burning with a solitary
love of the Lord. Little is definitively known about the life of
Blessed Gonzalo, but what remains in Holy Legend is remarkable. The
faith and zeal for the Lord required to perform such extraordinary
acts is surely testament to the sanctity and holiness of this simple
man.

Gonzalo was born into a wealthy and high-ranking family in Portugal.
It is said that from an early age, his eyes were literally fixed on
the Lord--that is, as he was carried to the baptismal font as an
infant, his eyes were drawn to the Crucifix, and that a look of
extraordinary love was observed by all present. Destined for the
religious life, Gonzalo entered the seminary and was ordained a
priest, at which time he distributed his wealth and inheritance
amongst his nephews.

And then Gonzalo disappeared into a pilgrimage through the Holy
Lands--a pilgrimage that lasted 14 years. He prayed and contemplated
the Word of God in the desert, moving from one sacred site to the
next, all the while maintaining a solitary hermit’s lifestyle. Upon
his return to his family, they did not recognize him, and turned their
dogs loose to drive him away.

Gonzalo set himself in prayer before the Lord, and through divine
directive, received instructions to enter the religious Order in which
“the Office begins and ends with the Ave Maria.” Recognizing the call
of the Dominicans, Gonzalo entered the Order, receiving permission
form his superiors to continue living as a hermit in the wilderness
near Amaranthe, Portugal.

During his years as a Dominican, Church tradition tells us that
Blessed Gonzalo worked many extraordinary miracles and works. Gonzalo
is said to have built a bridge over the Tamego river, primarily by
himself, using only his hands and no tools. When the workers who
briefly helped him with this project ran out of wine, Gonzalo became
nervous that they would desert him or go on strike. He prayed, and
striking a rock on the riverbank with his staff, fine wine immediately
poured forth. Similarly, when the workers ran of food, he prayed over
the water of the river, and the fish jumped onto the river bank to
feed the workers.

Blessed Gonzalo--while a hermit--also preached the importance of
belonging to, and participating in, the Church. During one such
homily, attempting to show the horrors of being excluded from the Body
of Christ, he excommunicated a basket of bread. While his listeners
watched, the loaves of bread immediately rotted, turning black and
inedible. Upon his removal of the excommunication, the bread became
fresh and edible again--better than it had originally been!

While so much of the life of Blessed Gonzalo is unknown, and that
which we do know seems somewhat fantastical, we can appreciate the
simple faith of this holy man, who desired nothing more than to serve
and contemplate the Lord. Blessed Gonzalo took the time to wander
through the desert, seeking and finding inspiration in the history of
the Church and the Passion of Christ. We are called to do the
same--setting aside quiet time for the Lord, and coming before him,
simply and openly.
--by Jacob


Saint Quote:
When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you
will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so
badly.
--St. Sebastian Valfre

Bible Quote:
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord,
she shall be praised. [Proverbs 31:30] DRB


<><><><>
God of mercy and compassion, in your grace Blessed Gonzalo came to
love your holy name and served you in the solitary life. By the help
of his prayer and the grace of the Spirit may we keep you in our
thoughts and with burning zeal do what is pleasing to you. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.